Picture: MOLLY TAYLOR
THE 60th anniversary NF McDonnell and Sons Mount Gambier Christmas Parade is almost ready to roll down Commercial Street and the milestone event is expected to be bigger and better than ever.
Float entries have opened for the iconic parade, first held in 1959, with the November 16 event expected to draw thousands to the heart of Mount Gambier.
To commemorate the 60th year, City Council community events team leader Denise Richardson said a number of additional attractions have been arranged.
“We have a surprise in store for families and children, with entertainment and roving performers on Commercial Street from 10.30am before the parade starts,” Mrs Richardson said.
“The entertainment and roving performers will make an appearance after the parade in the Cave Gardens for Party in the Park.”
Photographs from the 1959 to 2018 parades are being compiled by the Mount Gambier History Group, the library and illuminart to form a projection light show.
“If members of the public have any images or old films of the parade we would for them to be taken to the library so they can be used in the projection,” she said.
Council encourages community groups, sports clubs, schools, businesses and individuals to enter a float and get behind the event, with over $3500 in prizes on offer.
“We would love to see a fabulous and exciting array of entrants to celebrate this special milestone in the history of the parade so put your thinking caps on and come up with a great idea or perhaps recreate a float from many years ago to signify the occasion,” Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin said.
“It’s always a fabulous day with children and their families lining the streets to mark the beginning of the festive season in Mount Gambier.”
There are 10 prize categories with the top prize of $750 awarded to the most outstanding entry.
Other categories include best Christmas theme, best school entry, best club or community organisation entry, open category, best brass band, best themed band, encouragement award, best non-city entry and an award for best use of recycled resources, sponsored by Community Action for Sustainability.
All entries will be independently judged on criteria such as creativity, effort, visual appeal, energy, crowd engagement and creative use of recycled material.
